Andrea Pitzer
@andreapitzer.bsky.social
Books! One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World, & a Nabokov bio. Now working on Snowblind: Death on the Polar Ice. Former karateka & record store clerk. Newsletter & podcast: andreapitzer.com.
Pinned
Andrea Pitzer
@andreapitzer.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Degenerate Art
Andrea Pitzer on politics and history, the Arctic, and Appalachian exile.
degenerateart.beehiiv.com
I currently have a newsletter in which I write regularly about how societies devolve into authoritarianism & what that means right now in the US & around the world. It also features essays about my unsettled childhood in West Virginia. Soon, it will also include art, surprises, & links to resources.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Update: A judge has ruled that ICE must release Gibson by noon on Friday.
Good example of the kind of people ICE is extrajudicially targeting. www.minnpost.com/public-safet...
Attorney: No proper warrant for Minneapolis man's arrest in home
The arrest of Garrison Gibson came in a city increasingly on edge after an immigration agent shot and killed Renee Good last week.
www.minnpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Update: A judge has ruled that ICE must release Gibson by noon on Friday.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
One of the stories that makes me the saddest out of this ICE invasion is one out of the Minnesota Star Tribune today about ICE agents eating at a little Mexican restaurant in the small town of Willmar, Minn, —and then, when they were done, arresting some of the workers.
January 16, 2026 at 12:56 AM
One of the stories that makes me the saddest out of this ICE invasion is one out of the Minnesota Star Tribune today about ICE agents eating at a little Mexican restaurant in the small town of Willmar, Minn, —and then, when they were done, arresting some of the workers.
Somebody tell Trump everyone on the Moon wants to see his Nobel Peace Prize.
January 16, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Somebody tell Trump everyone on the Moon wants to see his Nobel Peace Prize.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
"a colossal makeshift tent encampment on the Mexican border"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
January 15, 2026 at 11:05 PM
"a colossal makeshift tent encampment on the Mexican border"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
You'd be amazed how many editors, when I've tried to pitch pieces using that particular term, would not accept its use about anything currently happening in the US (though some were willing to go there, thank goodness).
I wonder if there is a more commonly used term for such a structure @andreapitzer.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 12:39 AM
You'd be amazed how many editors, when I've tried to pitch pieces using that particular term, would not accept its use about anything currently happening in the US (though some were willing to go there, thank goodness).
There will be more of this until we stop ICE, because this isn’t about immigration enforcement.
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
A fellow detainee says he witnessed Geraldo Lunas Campos being choked to death by guards at the ICE detention center in Texas on Jan. 3.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:21 PM
There will be more of this until we stop ICE, because this isn’t about immigration enforcement.
He looks like late-career Pee-wee Herman as the villain in a movie where he plays both himself and his evil twin brother.
Another very good one featured here: Greg Bovino, the roving commander of the administration’s immigration crackdowns, yelling at protesters on Sunday in Minneapolis.
Bovino is going to be with us for a long time; he’s clearly trying to make himself the paramilitary version of a celebrity general.
Bovino is going to be with us for a long time; he’s clearly trying to make himself the paramilitary version of a celebrity general.
January 15, 2026 at 9:53 PM
He looks like late-career Pee-wee Herman as the villain in a movie where he plays both himself and his evil twin brother.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
The US government is attacking its own people (and others), but you don't have to spend your life feeling helpless or marinating in fear and fury.
In the new NEXT COMES WHAT, Andrea explains why we need to overcome the glib instincts of centrist pundits to come together in useful ways.
In the new NEXT COMES WHAT, Andrea explains why we need to overcome the glib instincts of centrist pundits to come together in useful ways.
Finding Your Outside Voice
Podcast Episode · Next Comes What · 01/15/2026 · 26m
podcasts.apple.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:58 PM
The US government is attacking its own people (and others), but you don't have to spend your life feeling helpless or marinating in fear and fury.
In the new NEXT COMES WHAT, Andrea explains why we need to overcome the glib instincts of centrist pundits to come together in useful ways.
In the new NEXT COMES WHAT, Andrea explains why we need to overcome the glib instincts of centrist pundits to come together in useful ways.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Stars and Stripes has historically been a legit news operation with congressionally mandated independence—but which has (per WaPo) recently started asking job applicants if they support Trump’s policies www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
BREAKING | The Pentagon has suggested it would take over editorial content decision making for Stars and Stripes in a statement from the Defense Department’s top spokesman.
Pentagon says it will ‘refocus’ Stars and Stripes content
The Pentagon suggested it would take over editorial decision making for Stars and Stripes, which has long retained independence under a congressional mandate.
www.stripes.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Stars and Stripes has historically been a legit news operation with congressionally mandated independence—but which has (per WaPo) recently started asking job applicants if they support Trump’s policies www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Ahead of time, you first have to turn on full encryption on your devices, it’s not that cumbersome—a good guide here:
January 15, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Ahead of time, you first have to turn on full encryption on your devices, it’s not that cumbersome—a good guide here:
When I taught self defense, I would explain a common reaction many people have when they realize they're being targeted: they tend to pretend it's not happening, hoping the problem will go away on its own. There are a lot of ways to respond, but convincing yourself to ignore the threat is dangerous.
January 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
When I taught self defense, I would explain a common reaction many people have when they realize they're being targeted: they tend to pretend it's not happening, hoping the problem will go away on its own. There are a lot of ways to respond, but convincing yourself to ignore the threat is dangerous.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
In Louisiana, a man drowned being chased by ICE agents.
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
Oystermen grieve Honduran deckhand who drowned fleeing feds during Louisiana immigration sweeps
Walter Francisco Cerrato Cabrera drowned in his white shrimp boots after 20 years working on oyster boats around Hopedale. He was 48. “They’re all good people, really good people,” said a longtime oys...
www.nola.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:25 PM
In Louisiana, a man drowned being chased by ICE agents.
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Virginia's legislative session only started yesterday, and it was a very big day.
The House already passed four constitutional amendments on Day 1:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
Next: Senate.
The House already passed four constitutional amendments on Day 1:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
Next: Senate.
January 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Virginia's legislative session only started yesterday, and it was a very big day.
The House already passed four constitutional amendments on Day 1:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
Next: Senate.
The House already passed four constitutional amendments on Day 1:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
Next: Senate.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
maybe the 6 month old they tear gassed was driving right at them, maybe think about that before you pass judgement
January 15, 2026 at 12:31 PM
maybe the 6 month old they tear gassed was driving right at them, maybe think about that before you pass judgement
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 2:05 PM
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Read your comment section, NYT.
January 15, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Read your comment section, NYT.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Not sure who needs to hear this, but the Insurrection Act isn’t the same as “martial law.” It authorizes the molitary to engage in civil law enforcement. And not clear that even then, whether they can enforce state criminal laws
January 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Not sure who needs to hear this, but the Insurrection Act isn’t the same as “martial law.” It authorizes the molitary to engage in civil law enforcement. And not clear that even then, whether they can enforce state criminal laws
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
New from @stevanzetti.bsky.social and @tristanl.ee: Through analysis of publicly available information, interviews and in-person observation, the Observer identified multiple companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area operated by individuals with connections to Patriot Front.
Revealed: Four Businesses with Ties to Patriot Front Operating in North Texas
The neo-Nazi group is engaged in a strategy to establish an independent economic ecosystem. Through publicly available information, interviews, and in-person observation, the Observer has identified…
www.texasobserver.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:07 PM
New from @stevanzetti.bsky.social and @tristanl.ee: Through analysis of publicly available information, interviews and in-person observation, the Observer identified multiple companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area operated by individuals with connections to Patriot Front.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
Gulf Arabs believe that the IRGC has successfully de-escalated confrontation with Trump by making a series of offers to Steve Witkoff. The offers are apparently all of Iranian real estate projects. The Iranian-Trump deal was apparently brokered by the Russians. www.ft.com/content/df0c...
Arab governments believe US-Iran tension ‘de-escalated’
Moves of US military personnel and aircraft carrier keep region on edge
www.ft.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Gulf Arabs believe that the IRGC has successfully de-escalated confrontation with Trump by making a series of offers to Steve Witkoff. The offers are apparently all of Iranian real estate projects. The Iranian-Trump deal was apparently brokered by the Russians. www.ft.com/content/df0c...
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
This case illustrates again the nightmarish situations created by the terrible 1996 law IIRIRA, which according to today’s decision means you can be arrested and detained under an unconstitutional law and have no option to challenge it for months and months.
Expect today’s decision to go en banc.
Expect today’s decision to go en banc.
JUST IN: Big win for the Trump administration in the 3rd Circuit, ruling that a federal judge in NJ never had jurisdiction to consider Mahmoud Khalil's challenge to his detention.
Unclear what immediate effect it will have given tangle of other issues/rulings.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Unclear what immediate effect it will have given tangle of other issues/rulings.
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
January 15, 2026 at 2:12 PM
This case illustrates again the nightmarish situations created by the terrible 1996 law IIRIRA, which according to today’s decision means you can be arrested and detained under an unconstitutional law and have no option to challenge it for months and months.
Expect today’s decision to go en banc.
Expect today’s decision to go en banc.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
My daughter's school in Richfield, MN (adjacent to Minneapolis) is closing tomorrow due of out-of-control federal agents. Fourth graders spent the week building walls of snow at recess to protect their classmates from ICE. This isn't about immigration enforcement, it's about terror.
January 15, 2026 at 12:54 PM
My daughter's school in Richfield, MN (adjacent to Minneapolis) is closing tomorrow due of out-of-control federal agents. Fourth graders spent the week building walls of snow at recess to protect their classmates from ICE. This isn't about immigration enforcement, it's about terror.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
I have joined the great newsletter migration. Late, but I am often the last one on the train. I hope you check it out, and forgive the fact that I'm a clueless computer guy.
(Speaking of which, I am working on a better URL for it.)
by-brian-r-alexander.ghost.io/hello-welcom...
(Speaking of which, I am working on a better URL for it.)
by-brian-r-alexander.ghost.io/hello-welcom...
Hello. Welcome. What's all this then?
This is my newsletter, By Brian R Alexander. You may be saying to yourself, "The last thing the world needs is another newsletter." I've said this to myself many times. Yet here I am. So you deserve t...
by-brian-r-alexander.ghost.io
January 15, 2026 at 4:58 AM
I have joined the great newsletter migration. Late, but I am often the last one on the train. I hope you check it out, and forgive the fact that I'm a clueless computer guy.
(Speaking of which, I am working on a better URL for it.)
by-brian-r-alexander.ghost.io/hello-welcom...
(Speaking of which, I am working on a better URL for it.)
by-brian-r-alexander.ghost.io/hello-welcom...
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
I just realized the loud noises I've been hearing are from the scene. I'm about a mile and half away.
January 15, 2026 at 3:49 AM
I just realized the loud noises I've been hearing are from the scene. I'm about a mile and half away.
Reposted by Andrea Pitzer
I love whistle printer people.
How I'm dealing with my stress: I bought a 3d printer and am producing 100 whistles at a time. 1000 heading to Minneapolis tomorrow.
January 15, 2026 at 3:26 AM
I love whistle printer people.